EU Statement on convening of Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka

Summary: 20 May 2009, Geneva – European Union Statement on the convening of the Special Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka

The European Union would like to make the following statement:

The European Union has closely followed the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, resulting from decades long conflict between the Government and the LTTE.

The European Union welcomes the convening of the Special Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Geneva, to address the detrimental effect of this conflict on the human rights of civilians and help prevent further suffering. The EU wishes to work with the Government of Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka to ensure a sustainable political solution to the conflict in an inclusive process based on respect for human rights.

The European Union hopes that, through continued dialogue within the Human Rights Council and the positive participation of the OHCHR, the international community, the Sri Lankan government and civil society, a meaningful consensual outcome will be reached.

The European Union will continue to actively work in the Human Rights Council to resolve this situation.